Here.

I've been listening to the radio and it seems like the general consensus is that it's preposterous. "America bows to no one," is a common line that I keep hearing.

I personally don't think it's a big deal. Thoughts?

Isn't he just respecting the country's culture?

... Silly simians.

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America's leader shouldn't submit to that extent. A light bow is alright but Obama went too far. I'm sure Japan isn't reading into it like that but still. Obama needs to think of himself as an equal to other leaders and not lower his head so readily... Or something like that.

No big deal.
He's old as a rock and all.

Ah, interestingly, last time Obama visited England, he touched the Queen. According to England's rule on this matter, no one should ever touch the Queen. In that matter, Obama did not understood England's custom well enough.

In the case of Japan, Obama knew really well the customs. Although I think bowing indicates a grasp on old traditions. From what I know, most leaders of other country, when they meet the Japanese Emperor just shake hands. Hand shaking is kind of the international standard, so Obama in this case went out of the norm and made a special case for the Japanese emperor. I guess he really want Japan's support, but I can't really see why. Japan already support the U.S almost 100 percent of the time.


Of course the other side of the matter is that bowing shows obedience to a higher superior power. I think when the leaders of two countries meet, they should just shake hands just to avoid all the media fanatical escalation of tensions. I mean we are living in a new age..........not 1800s.....


and....he also bowed to King of Saudi A.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/ barackobama/5128171/Barack-Obama-criticised-for-bowing-to-K ing-Abdullah-of-Saudi-Arabia.html

Last edited by BoxBox at 10:28 am, Nov 16 2009

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I think that considering the site we're on we're a little bias as to the situation and not as ignorant (though might still be) of the customs for the nation in question.

Though, he probably shouldn't have shaken his hand at the same time... but he tried his best to be considerate. Besides, it was only about a 45 degree bowed not 90; so, it meant more on the side of comradery then submission.

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True. But this picture show at least 70-80 degree bending. "D

if it was comrade-like, then the Japanese emperor will also follow the custom and bow back to Obama. That is real equality. If it was just one party doing the doing, then it shows submission. The recognition of superior power[in this case, the emperor, who really have no real power. But the bowing respect derives from the fact that one party recognizes the other as the emperor in respect to himself].

I feel it doesn't matter at all, it's just a fake front mask thing. Who knows what they really think in their mind. If the leaders want to do something completely opposite of what the front appears, they will.

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I think we are mising the point here.
He did it out of respect and that is all that should matter


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True, but this is the new age, not imperial time from 1800s. Leaders usually just shake hands. I mean really, if we are to follow old customs, other leaders should also kneel to Obama, that's what they did for the president back when U.S. first started. They adopted a lot of the English traditions into their political system and customs.

See my Signature? Why Bow to Lambchopsil, because he is awesome and he is superior to the rest of the people.

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He wants to be diffrent and bow, so whats the problem?
I fail to see why obama bowing becoming such an important issue when there are far more important things such as famine and war that need coverage.

obama felt like he needed to bow and you think that he needs to just shake his hands. it doesn't matter.
just because he is a leader doesn't exclude him from the fact that he is also a human. diffrent people do diffrent things under certain conditions but the fact of the matter is he did it out of respect and no harm was done, so shouldn't his INTENTIONS count for something?

just to touch on your signature.
Though after the game they might end up in the same box but during the game where it counts the both play by diffrent rules.


Last edited by westsiders2 at 11:16 am, Nov 16 2009

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Exactly what are they making a big deal out of this for? President Obama, I'm sure, is very much aware of Japanese mannerisms, which explains why he would bow as formally as he did in the first place.

Geeze, how ignorant can people be?

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That goes for everyone BoxBox not just heads of state (in refrence to putting up a fake front).

Also, I said about 45 degrees, because I believe that this was the type of bow he was going for as he doesn't practice bowing much in everyday life.

True, the emperor might have bowed in return; however, I do not knows the customs for the Emperor of Japan... but if you want to be technical the emperor would probably not think he is at the same level as the president, because the president and the prime minister would be on the same level as it is an elected position. Therefore, it would most likely be inappropriate to bow on his part.

Also, heads of state wouldn't bow to Obama because that's not our culture, and I highly doubt that it is the heads of state's culture to kneel to each other as a greeting.


@westsiders2... don't use we when your not including yourself in the situation.

@khmershinobi... it's not really a big deal. We're just talking, because it's good to talk to each other about our opinions and what-not.

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This is just another example of how every single thing Obama does is being looked at through a microscope.

I bet if Bush bowed to the emperor there would barely be as much talk and "controversy"...

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Just an example of a president who recognizes another countries customs and trying to show respect. People read to much into trivial things such as this. In particular, most of the nitpickers are doing such because they didn't like the president in the first place.

Bowing? people are really criticizing a man for bowing and it's not even the Japanese who care it's high and mighty america. Besides the fact that some people really hate Obama and would be criticizing him either way, whats the big deal? I'm not big on Japanese culture but I do know that at one point bowing was used as a sign of respect, maybe it was in the old days but look at the emperor, the man ain't no spring chicken.

So I don't know why people are getting so worked up over a bow unless that bow meant "I surrender america to Japan please come occupy and take us over" people are looking into it to much and need to focus that attention elsewhere my suggestion is americas economy or obesity problem.